alpine descent

I had heard a lot about the "Alpine Descent" or "Alpabfahrt" or "When the Cows Come Home", so I decided to check it out. This event happens in many villages all over Switzerland when the cows descend from their high pastures in the Alps before the snow sets in. The farmers first decorate their cows in ornate floral headdresses, Swiss flags, and of course cow bells. Then they herd the cows through the village where everyone lines the streets to see the cows. I told my friend Alayna about this exciting cow-watching excursion I was going to take and she couldn't resist the temptation to join. Saturday morning, we set off early for Ennetbürgen. We took the train first to Lucerne, where we stopped for breakfast. Although I've been at Lake Lucerne a few times I had not yet been to the town itself. It is known as the prettiest town in Switzerland and it did not disappoint, despite the looming storm clouds.

We then hopped back on a train and then a bus and arrived in Ennetbürgen. We really didn't know what to expect in this tiny little village, but we followed everyone else and lined up on the sidewalks to wait. We weren't exactly sure what was going to happen next, but we were soon serenaded by this cute old man and his alp horn:

As we waited, the rain started up again. We decided to buy some sausages and take cover under an awning while we ate. As we finished our lunch, we saw people hurrying back towards the main street and heard a noise off in the distance. It sounded like a drum, but as it got closer we realized it was the noise of lots of large cow bells as the herd of cattle came our way. The whole thing happened very quickly, but was so cute. The farmers herded the cattle and the cows' decorations were really pretty.

This "parade" happens in herds, so one herd will come through, then everyone resumed their drinking and eating, then another herd came through, and so on. We also ate a swiss ginger cake and fresh squeezed apple cider.

I felt like a true Swiss when the day was done.